He originally said the Jacobs plan runs the risk of dipping into the general fund, and that the construction would break the park's historical integrity.

Among the more eyebrow-raising comments, he wondered aloud what would happen to the plan if Jacobs died. He also called forth an impersonator of Balboa Park botanist Kate Sessions to back up his position on the historical impacts of the construction.

In a statement sent to the Voice of San Diego, Filner said “In retrospect, I wish the tenor of objections raised at that hearing had been different – less personal.”

He also said that since the City Council has adopted the Jacobs plan, if elected mayor he would certainly implement the plan.